William Eichler 06 February 2024

Kent CC faces legal action over alleged abuse

Kent CC faces legal action over alleged abuse  image
Image: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com.

Nine former residents of a children's home in Kent are suing the county council over abuse allegations.

The claimants were residents at a home for teenagers in Rochester called Medvale, which closed in 1990.

They allege that they were abused by Peter Jaynes who was employed as the officer in charge in 1986 and who practiced a controversial form of therapy, known as ‘regression therapy’.

Jaynes, who died in 2017, was jailed for historic abuse offences against children in 1991.

Katherine Yates, a solicitor acting for the claimants, told the BBC: ‘All of them have struggled in their adult life dealing with the trauma of what happened to them.

‘One of them went for counselling and finally spoke about what had happened and then contacted us and we started to look for witnesses and we found the practice was widespread.

‘I'm hoping for an apology, some clients want some compensation. They really want recognition that what happened to them was wrong.’

A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: ‘KCC has received a number of claims relating to historic allegations of abuse at the Medvale Children's Home. These are being investigated. As this is now a legal process, KCC is unable to comment further at this time.’

Check out: The role of councils in supporting child victims of abuse

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Residential Worker

Wakefield Council
£32,061.00 to £34,434.00, Grade 7.
We are looking for a Full-Time Children's Residential Worker to join our team at Clarence Children's Home in Wakefield Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Community Development Officer

The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead
£32,962 - £36,791 per annum
We have an exciting opportunity for a Community Development Officer to join us! Maidenhead, Berkshire / Multiple
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead

Telecare Responder

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 to £31,022 per annum
Could you respond to emergency calls, gain access and administer first aid if necessary? Could you assist in the provision of an equitable Countywide Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, Mid Team

Essex County Council
£34902.0000 - £50081.0000 per annum
Social Worker - Assessment & Intervention, Mid TeamPermanent, Full Time£34,902 to £50,081 per annum Location
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Service Manager

Wakefield Council
£69,037.00, Grade 15, 37 hours, Permanent
Do you have the experience, skills, and ambition to strengthen the education offer. Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council
Linkedin Banner